Prague Talk

Student Greta Stocklassa explains why she has chosen to be in Sweden, which has kept large parts of its society open, rather than the Czech Republic, which imposed a strict lockdown in a bid to combat the coronavirus.

Czech Television’s former man in Beijing on the likely consequences of China’s handling of the coronavirus epidemic – as well as his experiences reporting from conflict zones for CNN.

Radek Špicar, vice president of the Czech Confederation of Industry, discusses the challenges facing the economy, post-coronavirus unemployment, at-risk sectors and much more.

Sociologist Daniel Prokop on Czech varieties of populism, how low pay leaves some voters not caring what system they live under and how the education system perpetuates inequality.

One of the most noteable names in Czech dance, Miřenka Čechová draws on her often agonising experiences as a young ballet student in a new autobiographical novel. But Baletky (Ballet Dancers) also celebrates the Prague of the wild 1990s.

Born Pavel Ort in Prague, Paul Ort (83) is a very successful orthopaedic surgeon in New York. His stories of boyhood in wartime Prague are hair-raising while his escape from Czechslovakia was also dramatic.

Eda Kriseová joined old friend Václav Havel at a “Kafkaesque” Prague Castle when he became president. The writer and ex-dissident recalls the lingering odour of Husák, and way more besides, in this broad-ranging interview.

Adam Ondra is one of the planet’s top rock climbers and has to be seen in action to be believed. With many world titles to his name, the 27-year-old is targetting more success at the Tokyo Olympics.

A Czech-born, Dutch-based confectioner and holder of the prestigious French diploma Master of Confectionery Arts, Mirka van Gils Slavíková is currently one of the judges on the Czech edition of the popular show the Great British Bake-Off.

Ivan Král, who played with Patti Smith and Iggy Pop, died on Sunday at the age of 71. Listen back to this comprehensive 2006 interview with the Prague-born musician, who was a legend to many Czechs.

Failed presidential candidate Jan Sokol explains why he is strongly against the current direct election of head of state – and offers stinging criticism of incumbent and old friend Miloš Zeman.

Did the Communists want to kill Jan Patočka? And what did Charter 77 actually achieve? Professor Jan Sokol shares his views.

How do Czechs and Americans differ when it comes to friendship, parenting, education and way more? Who better to ask than American Diary author Jana Ciglerová.